In wake of inquiry, jail commander is retiring

A Franklin County jail commander whose leadership was questioned during an investigation into the condition of a jail cell where an inmate died last year has decided to retire.

Josh Jarman, The Columbus Dispatch

A Franklin County jail commander whose leadership was questioned during an investigation into the condition of a jail cell where an inmate died last year has decided to retire.

Maj. Douglas Edgington, 52, has been with the sheriff’s office for more than 30 years. He has served as the commander of the Franklin County Corrections Center 2, on Jackson Pike, for two years.

Edgington had submitted a letter of resignation and retirement yesterday. His last day will be Friday.

Edgington’s leadership was questioned during a lengthy internal investigation into the death of 48-year-old Edward Peterson on Sept. 4. Peterson suffered from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, said Franklin County Coroner Jan Gorniak, who listed his death as natural.

When his body was discovered, Peterson’s cell was filled with trash and feces.

Edgington said yesterday that his decision to retire was driven by the coming changes to the state’s retirement system as well as a desire to not be a distraction for the sheriff’s office.

He said it became clear that the investigation and subsequent news reports would be used as fodder in the upcoming sheriff’s race.

“Clearly it’s an issue as far as the media is concerned,” Edgington said. “I have no desire to be a distraction to the people who rely on me for leadership.”

After the investigation became public, Maj. Mike Herrell, the Republican candidate running against Sheriff Zach Scott in the fall election, blasted Scott’s leadership in the wake of the report’s findings.

Edgington said the retirement was his idea and would give him a chance to pursue other dreams, such as finishing his master’s degree, learning a few languages and perhaps taking up flying. He said he has had a rewarding career and did not feel like he was leaving the office under a cloud.

“I didn’t do anything wrong, but it happened on my watch,” Edgington said. “It affects the efficiency of the office.”

Fifty-two deputies and supervisors were recommended for discipline after the investigation, which was made public this month. Most of the recommendations were against deputies who failed to check cells on their rounds or failed to report the conditions in Peterson’s cell. Findings against supervisors, including Edgington, noted that they were in command of people who failed in their duties and did not take action.

The rest of the officers mentioned in the report still are going through the pre-disciplinary hearing process, Scott said, and no decisions have been made about what consequences they’ll face.

He previously said that the discipline could range from letters of reprimand to terminations.

Scott said that for the first time the office will require leadership tests for applicants for the majors’ position in both jails.

He said Maj. Stephanie Klumpp, commander of Downtown’s main jail since last June, also has decided to retire and will serve through July 1. He said Klumpp’s decision was driven by pending changes to the state’s retirement system for public employees.

Chief Deputy Mark Barrett will oversee operations at the main jail, and Klumpp the operations at the Jackson Pike facility, until the two positions can be filled, Scott said.